Woods favored in Masters, others lurk

By Jill Painter/DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA

Thursday, April 11, 2013

AUGUSTA, Ga. - If not Tiger Woods, then who?

Woods is the favorite to win the Masters, and if he were to earn his fifth green jacket, no one would be surprised. He’s won three times this year and seems awfully confident now that he’s the world’s top-ranked golfer again.

If Woods can’t win his first major in nearly five years - and he hasn’t won at Augusta National since 2005 – there is Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter and so many others who might wind up in Butler Cabin on Sunday.

Watson is the fan favorite out here, especially after pulling out the unthinkable shot in a playoff on the 10th hole out of the pine straw with his 52-degree wedge. All week, fans have been trying to find the exact spot where Watson etched his name in Masters lore. Fans love a guy who isn’t afraid to show emotion, which Watson did when he won and again in describing wrapping his son, Caleb, in the green jacket.

``I look at it as it’s a different year, getting older, different conditions,’’ Watson said. ``So who knows how I’ll play? I could miss the cut, I could win. You never know what’s going to happen. I feel the same, feel good. But if you’re a stats guy, you look and say, `Bubba is not playing as good as last year.’ ‘’

And if you’re a stats guy, you say the odds of pulling off that shot to win the Masters were slim. And yet, Watson did it.

Mickelson won the Masters in 2004, 2006 and 2010 and has 14 top-10 finishes, so he knows how to get himself into contention at Augusta. Mickelson won at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and has two top-10s this year.

Last year, he came oh so close but tied for third. He triple-bogeyed the fourth hole and couldn’t overcome that debacle.

``I think what makes the Masters so exciting is having an opportunity to win and playing the back nine with an opportunity,’’ Mickelson said. ``That is what is so enjoyable, exciting as a player. I’ve been fortunate to come out on top a few years, and I’ve been unfortunate to have a number of them come close but not quite good enough.

``Either way … to feel that pressure, to grace Amen Corner knowing that you need birdies and trying to win a green jacket, that is the greatest thrill a golfer can probably experience.’’

McIlroy seems to be back on track after ToothGate that led to his questionable withdrawal from the Honda Classic, an errant swing after the change to Nike clubs, a fall to the No. 2 ranking in the world and rumors of upheaval in his personal life.

But McIlroy finished second at the Valero Texas Open last week and had girlfriend/tennis star Caroline Wozniacki as his caddie in Wednesday’s Par-3 Contest. He’s won two majors but hasn’t won here.

``Would anything less than a win be a disappointment this week? Yeah, it would be,’’ McIlroy said. ``Every time you come to Augusta, you’re wanting to win that green jacket, and every time you don’t, it’s another chance missed. If I’m sitting here on Sunday night and I’ve finished second or if I’ve given it a good run, you can’t be too disappointed because you’ve had a great tournament, but the ultimate goal is getting one of those jackets.’’

Poulter didn’t play the Par-3 Contest Wednesday, opting to play Augusta’s back nine one more time before today’s first round. Poulter has played here eight times and has two top-10s and four top-20s.

He’s considered to be Europe’s best chance to win since Jose Maria Olazabal won in 1999. On Wednesday, Poulter tweeted: ``All prep done for the 2013 Masters. Time to relax (and) let this thing happen.’’

Woods is hoping the Masters happens for him, so he can get back to chasing Jack Nicklaus’ record of 18 majors. Even though he’s won four times here, he looks back on the near-misses. After winning in 2005, he’s had six top-six finishes.

``I was there ball-striking-wise a few years through that stretch where I think I hit it pretty well,’’ Woods said. ``Hit a lot of greens, but just didn’t make enough putts. I was there on Sundays with a chance, and unfortunately, just didn’t get it done. But as well all know, you have to putt well here. You have to make a lot of putts.’’